Today’s Tasting: 2 Samuel 6–7; 1 Chronicles 17: David recaptured the Ark of the Covenant from the enemy’s territory. Each place where the Ark rested, the people were blessed and prospered. The Ark of the Covenant represented God’s Presence. David wanted this blessing for himself. So, with a festive celebration, David brought the ark into the City of David. Saul’s daughter, Michal, criticized David for dancing as the Ark was brought into the city, but David reminded her that God had taken the kingdom away from her father Saul and given it to him. Michal never bore children from that day.
David wanted to build a house where God’s name would dwell and His presence would rest as the land rested from enemies. But God spoke to him, through the prophet Nathan, that He did not wish for David to build Him a house to dwell in. Instead God made a covenant with David that his son would build the house of God and through him He would establish David’s throne forever.
“You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you … and your name will be magnified forever” (2 Samuel 22, 26 ESV).
1 Chronicles 17 is a parallel account of the same events in Israel’s history.
Today’s Nourishment: As the story unfolds of the construction of the Temple of the Lord, I find it interesting that wherever God’s people lived, He lived among them in the same type of dwelling. When Israel lived in tents, so did God. When Israel settled into the land and built houses to live in, so did God. Then, when God came as a human, He came to live in human hearts, inside our spirits.
This is one of my favorite sections of the Bible. I’m writing a Word Feast: Simply Delicious Bible Study series about it, called The Greater Than Series. More than one hundred women joined me for the first Bible study in the series in 2009, the three remaining Bible studies —A > Presence; His > Works; Your > Life—are still to be published.
From a tent, to a house, to within our spirits, the Lord desires a place for His Name to dwell and His Presence to rest among His people. His Spirit longs to live within you, engaging in every area of your lives. Feast on the Word—Jesus—to experience His living Presence and His peace, provision, and power. In His Presence we have the power to live the Christ-full life, fully yielded to King Jesus. As the Temple of the Holy Spirit, we carry His Name and His Presence as we build a Kingdom for our God.
How are you experiencing His Presence in your life? How may you magnify His name today?
Tomorrow’s Delight: Psalms 25, 29, 33, 36, 39
Carolyn Marlowe, CCLC
Gigi to six adorable grandchildren
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I experience His Presence through quiet times each morning praying and reading His word and I also experience Him through song. I find that singing and praising Him truly ushers in His sweet Presence. If I ever feel weary I start singing and He meets me there every time. I magnify His holy name today on this national day of prayer through thanksgiving to a faithful and sovereign God who is all powerful and all knowing. I rejoice in Him my redeemer, my healer, my peace, my strength and my Father. I lift You on high my Lord for there is no one like You. I love You Jesus with all that I am!!!!!!
Amen, Tammy! Great way to experience His Presence and magnify His name. I have found that it takes practicing His Presence and seeking to keep company with Jesus!
Thank you for the Word today! I never thought about how God loves in the same type of dwelling that we live in. Neat!!
Brenda, isn’t it wonderful to know that the Lord wants to live where we live. He loves us that much and is that kind of God.